Health and Care Passports

Introduction

Health and Care Passports are documents with information about a person. They help people access support and reasonable adjustments that meet their needs.

Passports can be useful in many different situations. These situations might be:

• going for an x-ray,
• a visit to the job centre,
• being in contact with the police, and many more.

Passports help others understand what people’s needs are and how to support them better. This might be by making adjustments such as:

• dimming bright lights,
• offering a quieter space, or
• making an appointment at a time of day that is less busy.

The passport takes the pressure off the individual to speak up for themselves. This is important, especially at times that are stressful, such as a medical appointment.

Any passport you create belongs to you and should be looked after by you. You don't need a diagnosis to use one. You must give permission for it to be copied or shared.

This page outlines the 6 passports to choose from. They support different needs:

• The East Sussex Health Care Passport is the most detailed, with 12 pages. It's for people with more than one condition. It's designed to for a few different staff members to share. It uses a traffic light system to signal the importance of information.
• The NHS Sussex - This is Me, My Care Passport has 8 pages. It can be used by anyone and is a simpler design for more general use. It uses a traffic light system to signal the importance of information.
• The Thames Valley - Children's Healthcare Passport was created for children. It has 8 pages and uses pictures and a traffic light system to signal the importance of information.
• The National Autistic Society - My Health Passport is designed for and reviewed by autistic people. It's for autistic people accessing health and care, and it has a simple design with 6 pages.
• The Sussex Autism Passport includes helpful information about autism. It includes detailed guidance for people that support you to understand autism and how to support you well. This passport was created by public services in Sussex.
• The DWP - Health Adjustment Passport can be used by people at work or when job seeking. It is similar to the PIP form. You can use it to share anything about your condition that will need support or adjustment in the workplace.

It is very important to remember the passport is your property. It contains your personal information and should be kept safe at all times.

We have created a short video about choosing the right passport for you:

You can also watch this short video, which explains what a hospital passport is:

We encourage anyone using a passport to give their feedback. This helps to support future developments. To provide feedback, you can email APB@eastsussex.gov.uk or complete our web form:

• Passports - Tell us what you think | Microsoft Forms

East Sussex Health Care Passport

The East Sussex Health Care Passport has been designed for people accessing:

• hospital,
• medical support, or
• care support.

It is useful for people with more than one condition. It allows for information to be shared between different staff who may be supporting you.

Download the East Sussex Health Care Passport Word document.

If you have any problems using this passport or any document on this page, please email APB@eastsussex.gov.uk or complete our web form:

• Passports - Tell us what you think | Microsoft Forms

NHS Sussex - This is Me, My Care Passport

The NHS Sussex - This is Me, My Care Passport is for general health and care use. It has a traffic light system to signal the importance of information to different staff.

This is a simpler medical and care passport for general use.

View the This is Me, My Care Passport PDF.

Thames Valley - Children's Healthcare Passport

The Thames Valley - Children's Healthcare Passport has been designed specifically for children and young people.

It can be used for any health, care and support needs.

You can visit the NHS website to view this passport:

• Thames Valley Children's Healthcare Passport | NHS

To provide feedback about this passport, you can email APB@eastsussex.gov.uk or complete our web form:

• Passports - Tell us what you think | Microsoft Forms

National Autistic Society - My Health Passport

The National Autistic Society created the My Health Passport.

They designed it for autistic people to use to support their health needs.

View the My Health Passport PDF.

Sussex Autism Passport

The Sussex Autism Passport was created by:

• Sussex Police,
• Sussex Local Authorities, and
• the NHS.

This passport is useful for autistic people. It could be useful when in contact with any public service.

View the Sussex Autism Passport PDF.

DWP - Health Adjustment Passport

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) created the Health Adjustment Passport.

The Health Adjustment Passport can be used if you're looking to move into work or stay in a job. It's for those with a disability or health condition.

This passport can be used to:

• support you to identify what support and changes (known as reasonable adjustments) you may need when you are in work or moving into work.
• help you to apply for support from Access to Work. This could include funding for specialist equipment to support you to do your job.
• help you talk to employers about adjustments and in-work support that you may need. A job could also include, self-employment, or a supported internship.

View the Health Adjustment Passport PDF.

Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms

We explain some of the terms used on this website on our page, Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms.